Choking is a rare situation, but it can be life-threatening, as it can plug the airways and prevent air from reaching the lungs. Some situations that can cause someone to choke are:
- Drink liquids too fast; Do not chew food properly; Eat lying down or lying down; Swallow gum or candy; Swallow small objects such as toy parts, pen caps, small batteries or coins.
Foods that normally have a higher risk of choking are bread, meat and grains, such as beans, rice, corn or peas and, therefore, should be chewed well before swallowing, so that you do not run the risk of getting stuck in the throat or go to the airways.
Although in most cases, the choking passes after coughing, there are more serious situations in which the cough fails to push what is preventing breathing. In such cases, the choked person finds it very difficult to breathe, with a purple face and may even faint. Here's what to do when someone chokes:
What can cause frequent choking
Frequent choking, with saliva or even water, is a condition known as dysphagia, which occurs when relaxation, weakness and uncoordination of the muscles used to swallow.
Although it is more common in the elderly, due to natural aging, dysphagia can also appear in younger people, but in these cases, it can have several causes, from simpler problems such as reflux, to more serious situations, such as neurological problems or even cancer. throat. Learn more about dysphagia and how to treat it.
Thus, whenever it is identified that you are choking very often, it is important to go to the general practitioner to assess the symptoms and identify the problem, initiating the most appropriate treatment.
How to avoid getting choked
Choking is more frequent in children, so in these cases it is recommended:
- Do not offer very hard foods or foods that are difficult to chew; Cut the food into small pieces so that they can be swallowed whole, if necessary; Teach the child to chew food well before swallowing; Do not buy toys with very small parts that can be swallowed; Avoid storing small objects, such as buttons or batteries, in places easily accessible to the child; Do not let the child play with party balloons without adult supervision.
However, choking can also happen in adults and the elderly, in which case the most important tips are to cut the food into small pieces, chew well before swallowing, put a small amount of food in the mouth and identify if there are loose parts in dentures or dental appliances, for example.
In the case of people who are unable to chew properly or are bedridden, care should be taken with the type of diet, as the use of solid foods can easily cause choking. See how it should be to feed people who can't chew.
